U.N. Calls for Political Transition in Syria

Revised Resolution Passes After Toning Down Support for Rebels; Russia Calls Measure a Threat to Planned Peace Talks

By

Joe Lauria

Updated May 15, 2013 8:03 p.m. ET

The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution calling for a transitional government in Syria, rejecting Russia's plea that the measure could undermine a planned peace conference on the Syrian crisis.

The measure passed on Wednesday with 107 countries voting in favor, 12 against and 59 abstaining. Russia, China and Iran, Syria's three main foreign backers, voted against the measure, along with several Latin American...